Gun Safe Odor

Sea Buck · June 12, 2013, 07:45 AM

My gun safe has developed a musty odor. I am using dessicent bags to absorb any humidity. Any ideas on how to remove the odor would be appreciated.( my son in law has told me that if I can't solve the problem, he'll gladly take the guns !!)

a1abdj · June 12, 2013, 10:24 AM

What is the make/model of the safe, and how old is it?

Doyle · June 12, 2013, 10:34 AM

Is it the kind that uses gypsum (drywall) board inside as fire-resistant insulation? If so, that could be what is causing the odor.

wogpotter · June 12, 2013, 10:39 AM

An open box of baking soda will absorb any smell. It won't cure the source though, thats a different problem.

Sea Buck · June 12, 2013, 04:02 PM

The safe is a Winchester. Heavy guage steel. No idea what the interior covering is. It is a safe only. Under sustained heat the contents will be toasted. Smelled like a pair of old socks! Guess I'll take everything out and see what's what . Thanks for the response.

jaguarxk120 · June 12, 2013, 05:37 PM

When was the last time you regenerated the desiccant bags???

Rifleman1776 · June 13, 2013, 08:03 AM

Just let stand open and air out for the better part of a day, or several days.
(of course, you have to stand guard the whole time.

)

Garycw · June 13, 2013, 11:38 AM

I had a new safe that had almost a burnt/ sulfur smell. I poured baking soda out in pie pans and also pans with oder absorbing kitty litter. Placed them on shelves top to bottom, closed up for a week then let door stand open a couple days. Smell is gone now. It was so bad at first mfg was going to replace it.

JWT · June 13, 2013, 01:13 PM

Baking soda willl help..So will coffee - put some in a container inside the safe.

ChasingWhitetail91 · June 13, 2013, 01:23 PM

I'd go with a little container of coffee grounds or even some cedar shavings to replace your musty smell.

ClydeFrog · June 13, 2013, 09:55 PM

There are a few home remedies that can reduce odors...
You can cut up a big apple & put it in the safe. You can add a box of baking soda.
A deodorizer or maybe some dryer sheets or Freebreeze can eliminate or reduce the musty odor.
I'd also check the edges & mats for any leaks or cracks. That moisture or condinsation may cause the bad odors.

**4V50 Gary** · June 13, 2013, 10:34 PM

Another vote for baking soda. Open a box and let it sit in there.

Garycw · June 14, 2013, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garycw

I had a new safe that had almost a burnt/ sulfur smell. I poured baking soda out in pie pans and also pans with oder absorbing kitty litter. Placed them on shelves top to bottom, closed up for a week then let door stand open a couple days. Smell is gone now. It was so bad at first mfg was going to replace it.

As mentioned I also used sport fabreeze and dryer sheets. Not sure what size safe you're dealing with and severity of the odor, but I used three large boxes of baking soda. The baking sodas was spread out on 9" baking pans to adsorbed better in addition to the Oder absorbing kitty litter.
I was told by mfg that the glue to install the fireproof gypsum board was the smell from not being fully cured out. But this was a new safe I was dealing with. The smell would give you a headache and smelled like the dreaded Chinese drywall

a1abdj · June 14, 2013, 08:01 PM

Quote:

The smell would give you a headache and smelled like the dreaded Chinese drywall

The imported drywall, or the glues used to attach the fabric are usually the two most common culprits, but this is usually only the case on newer safes.

If the safe is older, not insulated, or doesn't have glued fabric, then it has to be something that has spilled/leaked.

Garycw · June 14, 2013, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a1abdj

The imported drywall, or the glues used to attach the fabric are usually the two most common culprits, but this is usually only the case on newer safes.

If the safe is older, not insulated, or doesn't have glued fabric, then it has to be something that has spilled/leaked.

I would agree with that. Spilled, leaked or even mold/mildew. Any new guns or items added to safe?you might take the desiccant bags out and check, recharge in oven or pitch and get new ones. It's easy and cheap to make your own by getting a bag of Dri Splender from hobby lobby. It has the blue indicating crystals that turn pink when it needs recharged. You can also get the safe dehumidifier that plugs in to recharge which has the same silica crystals in it.

June 12, 2013, 07:45 AM	#1
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	Gun Safe Odor My gun safe has developed a musty odor. I am using dessicent bags to absorb any humidity. Any ideas on how to remove the odor would be appreciated.( my son in law has told me that if I can't solve the problem, he'll gladly take the guns !!)

June 12, 2013, 10:24 AM	#2
a1abdj Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 496	What is the make/model of the safe, and how old is it? __________________ www.zykansafe.com

June 12, 2013, 10:39 AM	#4
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	An open box of baking soda will absorb any smell. It won't cure the source though, thats a different problem. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

June 12, 2013, 05:37 PM	#6
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	When was the last time you regenerated the desiccant bags??? Last edited by jaguarxk120; June 12, 2013 at 06:26 PM.

June 13, 2013, 11:38 AM	#8
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	Gun Safe Odor I had a new safe that had almost a burnt/ sulfur smell. I poured baking soda out in pie pans and also pans with oder absorbing kitty litter. Placed them on shelves top to bottom, closed up for a week then let door stand open a couple days. Smell is gone now. It was so bad at first mfg was going to replace it.

June 12, 2013, 10:34 AM	#3
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Is it the kind that uses gypsum (drywall) board inside as fire-resistant insulation? If so, that could be what is causing the odor.

June 12, 2013, 04:02 PM	#5
Sea Buck Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: New England,Florida Snow Bird Posts: 312	The safe is a Winchester. Heavy guage steel. No idea what the interior covering is. It is a safe only. Under sustained heat the contents will be toasted. Smelled like a pair of old socks! Guess I'll take everything out and see what's what . Thanks for the response.

June 13, 2013, 08:03 AM	#7
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Just let stand open and air out for the better part of a day, or several days. (of course, you have to stand guard the whole time. )

June 13, 2013, 01:13 PM	#9
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Baking soda willl help..So will coffee - put some in a container inside the safe.

June 13, 2013, 01:23 PM	#10
ChasingWhitetail91 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 336	I'd go with a little container of coffee grounds or even some cedar shavings to replace your musty smell. __________________ Abraham Lincoln made all men free, Samuel Colt made them equal.

June 13, 2013, 09:55 PM	#11
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	apples, baking soda, Frebreeze... There are a few home remedies that can reduce odors... You can cut up a big apple & put it in the safe. You can add a box of baking soda. A deodorizer or maybe some dryer sheets or Freebreeze can eliminate or reduce the musty odor. I'd also check the edges & mats for any leaks or cracks. That moisture or condinsation may cause the bad odors.

June 13, 2013, 10:34 PM	#12
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Another vote for baking soda. Open a box and let it sit in there. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*